What is the Civil Society EUSS Alliance?
The Alliance unites organisations and individuals across the UK with deep knowledge of the EUSS and its impacts on people and communities. It is a loose coalition of over 100 organisations, working with EU citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK before the end of 2020. It brings together practitioners and advocates who support communities navigating a complex and evolving digital immigration landscape.
What does the Alliance do?
Through regular meetings and ongoing collaboration, the Alliance:
- Shares frontline casework insights and experiences
- Strengthens the skills and capacity of advisers through expert input
- Facilitates policy engagement with key stakeholders, including the Home Office, Independent Monitoring Authority, European Commission, and UK parliamentarians
- Supports strategic advocacy around the implementation of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
This work is delivered through:
- Targeted upskilling opportunities across all levels of legal accreditation
- Strategic case-sharing to inform litigation and influence policy development
- Coordinated feedback on Home Office proposals and practices
Recent updates
As convenor of the Civil Society EUSS Alliance, Seraphus has collaborated with organisations across the sector to develop a request for further funding to support EUSS advice and assistance for vulnerable people across the UK. The document sets out the current context, drawing on Home Office statistics; outlines the key challenges faced by organisations supporting individuals with EUSS applications, informed by sector insights and experiences; and presents the sector’s recommendations on future funding and engagement.
Get involved
The Alliance welcomes new members of the network. If you offer advice and support to vulnerable EU Citizens and their families in your area and would like to find out more about the Alliance consider getting involved. You do not need to be a legally accredited provider to join.
Hear from members of the Alliance
-
These meetings have been extremely valuable source of in-depth knowledge, updates and an opportunity to receive support from others in finding a solution. The networking element is also very important.
-
I am not a lawyer, and I work only as a part time adviser and support worker. It is juggling it all on limited hours and constant changes in legislation require me being informed. I like attending Alliance meetings because I learn through the discussions ongoing about complex cases or trends spotted by far more experienced lawyers and professionals than myself. It is one thing reading updated guidance on changes, but it is another to hear about cases/trends and discussions from the practical perspective. I also find it helpful listening to speakers on specific issues.
-
We find it very useful and helpful to attend EUSS Alliance meetings with other service providers to share ideas, concerns and design strategies to deal with problems in EUSS system and really appreciate this platform which brings us together.
-
Thank you for hosting the EUSS Alliance, it’s a great resource and invaluable opportunity to stay in touch with others in the sector.
01/04
Alliance members survey results
In 2023, New Europeans, then leading the Civil Society EUSS Alliance, began conducting quarterly surveys of Alliance members. These surveys cover a range of topics, including location, client demographics and backgrounds, caseloads, and current enquiries and issues.
The aim is to provide a clear picture of the sector’s work and to monitor changes and challenges over time.
The survey is sent to over 150 individuals. The questions may vary each quarter in response to emerging issues, policy changes, implementation developments, or discussions from Alliance meetings.
You will find the survey results from the past three years compared below. If you have any questions about the survey and the data presented, please get in touch.
Organisational questions
Our survey of the Alliance explores the level, location, and nature of dedicated support available across the UK, as well as the diverse communities that require assistance in securing their rights under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The findings highlight a widespread lack of accessible, properly accredited, and sustainable support provision nationwide.
Casework questions
The survey explores both entrenched and emerging issues related to the EU Settlement Scheme, as experienced by clients and caseworkers when making applications, exercising their rights, and responding to policy changes discussed during Alliance meetings.
The results reveal a wide range of challenges in engaging with the application process and with the Home Office, particularly for vulnerable clients who often struggle to navigate these complex systems.
Alliance member experiences
July 2023
“Digital and language barriers mean clients didn’t understand their rights or how to apply themselves, no previous legal support / inadequate legal support received from an advice shark. Joining or dependent family members refused due to inadequate evidence.”
“We have seen a trend of rejections of evidence (such as tenancy agreements and bank statements issued by online banks) which were routinely accepted a year ago. This has echoes of Windrush and amounts to direct discrimination against applicants who arrived in the UK relatively recently and have yet to apply for settled status. Our service users rarely have utilities bills or Council Tax bills in their names.”
October 2023
“Capricious rejection of residence evidence – almost any document submitted can be rejected on the most frivolous of grounds.”
“Only 300 character limit [to outline reasons for submitting a late application].
Evidence threshold very high (accusations of fake documentation, lots more evidence required than in early stages of scheme) even for upgrades from pre-settled to settled.”
July 2024
“Bad communication by Home Office: refusal letters for Pre Settled to Settled Status applications give the impression that the applicant’s pre-settled status is no longer effective and that the applicant should leave the country. The Home Office is using standard emails to reject evidence which fail to give reasons for the rejection of evidence, but merely ignore the evidence submitted: extremely confusing for an unsupported applicant and often leading to wrongful refusals by the Home Office.”
October 2024
“People contacting us because they’re very worried / confused about the implication of past absences, and whether their pre settled status will be taken .”
“[We are seeing cases of] children whose parents were unaware of the three months from birth deadline; joining family members with previous failed applications, usually attributable to bad advice.”
March 2025
“[We see clients with] lengthy absences from the UK, not covered under the exceptions…an also applicants who have already acquired a right to settled status at the point of being granted pre settled status, but due to lack of evidence of residence they are only granted pre settled status which is delaying reaching to settled status.”
“Female partners with Pre Settled Status not having continuous residency evidence [to apply for Settled status] as not working or having independent life.”
“Can sometimes be confusing when applying for PSS or SS and the Home Office request further evidence of residence. It is not always clear what period they are requesting evidence for or why, especially when you feel like you have provided all of the information.”
December 2025
“We also support with welfare issues, many of them link to their status. Many of our clients needing help with euss also need help with their rights.”
“Specialist applications such as Lounes and Derivative rights upgrades from pre settled to settled status. These are unnecessarily complicated and we have seen a few cases where the Home Office has made errors, making the entire process much more difficult.”
“[We see clients] not being able to apply for settled status because of a lack of adequate evidence (especially true for non-working women, and their children, previously married, now single and taking care full time of their children). Their Universal Credit and other benefits have been stopped – in general a lack of knowledge on how to upgrade to settled status and reliance on fraudulent accoutrements .”
Funding questions
The sector is under significant pressure to maintain professional and accessible support services, with ongoing delivery heavily dependent on external funding. Since the introduction of the EU Settlement Scheme in 2019, the funding landscape has shifted considerably: Home Office funding has been drastically reduced, while many trusts and foundations have moved away from supporting casework and targeted assistance for EU communities.
You can see the details of the Home Office funding over time in the timeline below.
Alliance member experiences
July 2023
“We are receiving more requests for referrals as other complex case advice organisations have fallen away. We lost a sixth of our Home Office funding this round so our capacity is seriously impacted. Unclear what we do with cases that come in that could technically be resolved at OISC level 1 (but may be linked to a family member whose case needs resolving at level 2).”
October 2023
“Since the Home Office funding expired, we have had to charge for EUSS work which was previously free of charge.”
“We are seeking funding elsewhere and are paying for work from charity reserves.”
December 2025
“We have been unable to make referrals to partner/ other organisations because of their capacity.”
“[We are] relying on external/ independent funders, but funders are looking less and less at legal advice and more focusing on communities, so we will need to incorporate legal advice into other type of projects.”
“[If Home Office funding ceases] we will lose even the very, very limited referral pathways available…”
“We are looking at moving to a paid representation model for simpler EUSS cases for settled upgrades, registrations and nationality.”
Impact of policy changes
2024: The rollout of the eVisa system
In 2024 the new digital immigration system was brought into place by the Home Office. Due to much confusion around the communication from the Home Office on the requirements and implementation plan, it became a big point of concern to members of the alliance. While EU Settlement Scheme holders were automatically a part of the system and held eVisas through their EUSS status, this was not clearly communicated and led many organisations to introduce new work streams in order to clear up this confusion for EUSS holders and other migrants.
The below data and quotes from Alliance members reflect these considerations.
Alliance member experiences
October 2024
“People with Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) confirming access to public funds finding their e-visas state No Recourse to Public Funds which is causing issues with them accessing emergency and temporary accommodation from the local authority…Housing officers and social workers being unaware of e-visas and asking for BRPs. People being unable to open bank accounts due to banks not recognising e-visas and asking for valid BRPs.”
“eVisa account created but status not showing, account not being updated when No Recourse to Public Funds restriction removed from status causing issues when applying for Universal Credit.”
“Complete lack of awareness from the communities we support…lack of digital access; lack of digital literacy; submitting the application, getting the email stating the status is ready to view, logging in and finding the status is not ready to view.”
March 2025
“Some EUSS clients are confused about e-visas automatic Home Office email since they already have UKVI accounts.”
“There are days the system does not work at all, so no applications can be submitted.”
“Confusion at the border, some border agents ask ETA instead of E-visa.”
“Travel documents not accepted (although they promised this is being rectified).”
“Other organisations not being aware of the roll out of e-visas so assuming that expired biometric ID means a person has no status in the UK; individuals not having IT ability to show their ID through e-visas.”
“No access to Home Office to communicate about technical issues.”
2024: Change of the reasonable grounds assessment for late applications from an eligibility criterion to a validity requirement.
The reasonable grounds assessment for late applications was formally introduced in August 2023, with further changes implemented in January 2024. Individuals submitting a late application are required to explain the reasons for not applying within the required timeframe and to provide supporting evidence. This in then assessed on a case-by-case basis by a Home Office caseworker, and the reasons must be accepted for the application to proceed. This heightened level of scrutiny has created a new and additional barrier for many vulnerable people and has raised significant concern within the Alliance.
Alliance member experiences
October 2024
“[Our experience with] late applications [involves] navigating lack of documents (including passport/ ID, as well as evidence of residence) and increasing complexity owing to client circumstances (mental capacity/ homelessness) and immigration history/ other legal barriers.”
“[The most common reasons our clients give for submitting a late application] includes children whose parents were unaware of the three months from birth deadline; joining family members with previous failed applications, usually attributable to bad advice.”
March 2025:
“The Home Office does not accept accepting compassionate grounds as reasonable i.e. extended periods of homelessness and rough sleeping is not considered a compelling reason.”
“Refusals that have come to us predominantly include a lack of evidence/badly prepared cases.”
“Can sometimes be confusing when applying for pre settled status or settled status and the Home Office request further evidence of residence. It is not always clear what period they are requesting evidence for or why, especially when you feel like you have provided all of the information.”
2024: Introduction of the Automated Process of Granting Settled Status
In 2024 the Home Office outlined an automated process for granting settled status to eligible pre settled status holders. This process will streamline conversions to settled status, without requiring a new application, through checking government records (HMRC, DWP, Police) for continuous residence and conduct. Where evidence does not point to 5 years of continuous residence a status holder will be eligible for an extension to their pre-settled status. The Home Office has engaged with the Alliance consistently on the planned process since 2024, with the Alliance providing feedback on the proposals outlined and advocating for vulnerable people who would be less likely to have a digital footprint used by the Home Office to decide on automation. The Alliance is particularly concerned for non-EU family members or children who are not eligible for this process and would be required to apply for settled status themselves.
Alliance member experiences
October 2024:
“People contacting us because they’re very worried / confused about the implication of past absences, and whether their pre settled status will be taken away.”
“Automation granted, but continuous residence broken, so curtailment anticipated. The clients do not comprehend why.”
“Lack of understanding of it in the wider sector / those supporting vulnerable people with pre settled status.”
March 2025
“[We are concerned about] the potential exclusion of vulnerable people without digital footprints from pre settled to settled status automation.”
2023: Automatic extension of pre-settled status to implement the IMA judgment
In 2023 the Home Office introduced an automatic five-year extension of pre-settled status to implement the IMA judgment. Due to much confusion around how the extension affected rights, routes to settled status, and family member sponsorship, it became a big point of concern to members of the alliance. While the measure was intended to protect EUSS holders, unclear communication meant many believed they needed to take action or feared losing their status in future. This data reflects these considerations.”
Alliance member experiences
March 2024
“We have come across a few users with PSS who had broken their continuity of residence but were included in the automation of extension of PSS – they risk losing PSS in future.”
July 2024
“Pre settled status extensions are causing confusion for users.”
October 2024
“An unlawful attempt to cancel a PSS holder’s automatic extension and to declare him incompetent to sponsor a joining family member.”
“Huge uptick in questions around pre-settled status extensions, whether this means people will be able to achieve settled status after all.”
March 2025:
“Many people with expired PSS or long-term absences see that their status has been extended. They read the extension as opportunity to continue living in the UK/relying on their PSS while in a few years they won’t be able to apply for Settled Status or their status will be cancelled.”
“[Our clients] worry about the impact of absences, the lack of clarity re automatic extensions & upgrades, and confusion and difficulties surrounding a digital status/ evisa.”
December 2025
“Clients thought their email meant they had already been upgraded automatically [to settled status], not understanding the pre settled status extension. Change to their status happening without a notification.”
“Clients are obtaining extensions, instead of settled status, they are getting pre settled status, even if they were in the UK permanently and did not break their residence.”
“[We are] investigating cases where pre settled status may be allowed to expire, and therefore a person’s leave will not be curtailed. The right of appeal against a refused settled status application is different to right of appeal where leave is curtailed.”